Section 84A IT Act: Modes or methods for encryption

Information Technology Act, 2000

Section 84A IT Act at a Glance

Section 84A IT Act empowers the Central Government to prescribe modes or methods for encryption to support secure use of the electronic medium and to promote e-governance and e-commerce.

Section 84A IT Act Bare Act Text

84A. Modes or methods for encryption.

The Central Government may, for secure use of the electronic medium and for promotion of e-governance and e-commerce, prescribe the modes or methods for encryption.

Amendments to this section
  • Ins. by Act 10 of 2009, s. 45 (w.e.f. 27-10-2009).

Section 84A IT Act in Simple Words

Section 84A IT Act empowers the Central Government to prescribe modes or methods for encryption. Because Section 84A IT Act uses the word 'may', the provision confers an enabling power on the Central Government rather than a compulsory duty, and the text of Section 84A IT Act does not itself fix any specific encryption method.

Section 84A IT Act links that power to two stated aims: secure use of the electronic medium, and promotion of e-governance and e-commerce. Any modes or methods for encryption prescribed under Section 84A IT Act are directed at those statutory purposes.

Section 45 of Act 10 of 2009 inserted Section 84A IT Act with effect from 27 October 2009.

When Section 84A IT Act Applies

  • The authority empowered to act is the Central Government.
  • The power is permissive ('may prescribe'), enabling the Central Government to prescribe modes or methods for encryption.
  • The stated purposes are secure use of the electronic medium and promotion of e-governance and e-commerce.

FAQs on Section 84A IT Act

What is Section 84A IT Act?▼

Section 84A IT Act gives the Central Government power to prescribe modes or methods for encryption. The provision permits the Central Government to do so for secure use of the electronic medium and for promotion of e-governance and e-commerce.

Who can prescribe modes or methods for encryption under Section 84A IT Act?▼

The Central Government. Section 84A IT Act confers the power to prescribe modes or methods for encryption on the Central Government for secure use of the electronic medium and for promoting e-governance and e-commerce.

Does Section 84A IT Act itself name a specific encryption method or require the Central Government to prescribe one?▼

No. Section 84A IT Act uses the word 'may', giving the Central Government an enabling power to prescribe modes or methods for encryption without naming a specific method in the text of Section 84A IT Act.

For what purposes may encryption modes or methods be prescribed under Section 84A IT Act?▼

Secure use of the electronic medium and promotion of e-governance and e-commerce. Section 84A IT Act specifies these objectives as the basis for the Central Government to prescribe modes or methods for encryption.

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Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified advocate for legal advice.

Sources: Bare Act Text, Information Technology Act, 2000 ·